Date: 2010-02-08

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum has again appealed to the National Assembly to facilitate the process of transmitting power to the Vice-President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan to become Acting President, pending the safe return of President Umaru Yar’Adua.

The Chairman of the Forum and Kwara State Governor, Dr Bukola Saraki, made the appeal in Ilorin on Monday while speaking with newsmen shortly after the State Security Council meeting held at the Government House.

Dr Saraki, who made clarification that the Governors’ Forum at no time directed the National Assembly to recognize the Vice President as acting President, said the Forum only appealed to the National Assembly to review and consider the Governors’ position. 

The power to recognize the Vice President as Acting President, he said, belongs entirely to the National Assembly and not the Governors’ Forum as erroneously reported by the Fifth Columnist.

“As stakeholders, we are coming up with a suggestion on the way forward an we want to go and appeal to the National Assembly to review and consider this in the interest of the Nation”, Saraki said.

He urged members of the National Assembly to expedite action on the lingering issue so that the matter can be put behind us in the interest of the country and national peace.

Governor Saraki also appealed to those mischievous people who wanted to use the present situation to cause problem to stop this, saying this is about all of us.

Speaking on the election victory of Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State in the just concluded gubernatorial election in the State, he congratulated Mr Obi and his party, the All Progressive Grand Alliance for the victory.

Dr Saraki, who praised Professor Charles Soludo for conceding defeat also commended the Chairman of INEC, Pro. Maurice Iwu and the electoral body for a job well done.

Dr Saraki charged INEC not to rest on its oars, pointing out that it has a lot to do especially as it prepares for the country’s 2011 general elections.

“The Anambra election has come and gone. Nigeria is still strong and democracy is stronger. It is  a good opportunity for what to come in 2011,” Saraki said.

Dr Saraki, who praised the Anambra people for conducting themselves in an orderly manner during the election, told the international community that the Anambra test case was an indication that democracy has come of age in Nigeria .

Mas’ud Adebimpe
Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara State Governor
08/02/10